Mixed drink dispenser with separate pump for each ingredient



Sept. 21, 1965 v. D. MOLITOR' MIXED DRINK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 15, 1961 mvmron. VIC TQ/i 0. MOL/TOR A 7' TORNEY Se t. 21, 1965 v. D. MOLITOR 3,207,376

MIXED DRINK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT Filed March 15, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTOR/VE Y Sept. 21, 1965 v. D. MOLITOR 3,207,376

MIXED DRINK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT Filed March 15, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. V/CTOR 0. MOL lTOl? A TTOR/VEY Sept. 21, 1965 v. D. MOLITOR MIXED DRINK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 15, 1961 INVEN TOR. V/CTOR 0. MOL/TOR BY y lmc 6, 1.4

A TTOR/VE Y Sept. 21, 1965 v. D. MOLITOR MIXED DRINK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 15, 1961 JNVENTOR. V/CTOR D. MOL/TOR BY A TTORIVEY Sept. 21, 1965 v. D. MOLITOR 3,207,376

MIXED DRINK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT Filed March 15, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F/ 6. INVENTOR.

W670i? 0. MOL/TOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,207,376 IVHXED DRENK DISPENSER WITH SEPARATE PUMP FOR EACH INGREDIENT Victor D. Molitor, Engiewood, Colo. (1318 th St., Denver, Colo.) Fiied Mar. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 95,842 17 Ciaims. (Cl. ZZZ-129.3)

This invention relates to a dispenser, and more particularly to a dispenser for dispensing flavored drinks, such as hot chocolate.

Various attempts have been made to prepare or package chocolate in such a manner that it may be easily used in restaurants to make hot chocolate, but none of these attempts have been entirely satisfactory. Powdered chocolate has long been packaged in individual paper or foil packages, which may be served to the customer, along with a cup of hot water. The package is then torn open by the customer and the contents deposited in the cup of hot water and stirred with a spoon until dissolved. However, the necessity of putting the powdered chocolate into the water is often inconvenient to the customer, especially if some of the powdered chocolate falls into the saucer or elsewhere. Furthermore, if the water is not sfficient'ly hot, the chocolate is slow in dissolving, sometimes becoming lumpy. Furthermore, these packages of hot chocolate must be kept dry and thus require special storage space.

Attempts have been made to overcome these disadvantages by using a hot chocolate dispenser, in which the hot chocolate, made from a powder or syrup, is premixed and placed in a device somewhat resembling a transparent coffee urn, provided with an oscillating spatula or paddle, which continually stirs the hot chocolate to keep chocolate particles from settling to the bottom. While this method of serving hot chocolate does eliminate some of the inconvenience for the customer, the problems of the restaurant owner are multiplied. If powdered chocolate is used to make the hot chocolate in the dispenser, then the same storage problems are present as before, i.e., storing the chocolate in a dry place so that it does not become lumpy and unsuitable for use. If a chocolate syrup concentrate is used, the syrup is often spilled on the counter or drips down the sides of the can in which it is packaged, resulting in added time and expenses for cleaning. Furthermore, the premixed hot chocolate in the urn may stand for days at a time before it is completely used, thereby deteriorating in quality and losing flavor. Also, because of the necessity of an oscillating spatula or paddle to keep the chocolate from settling out, the hot chocolate mixture is often open to the atmosphere, creating unsanitary conditions. In addition, a motor is needed to drive the spatula, thus increasing the cost of the machine. Often times, the sight of the sediment in the hot chocolate mixture being sluhsed around by the paddle or spatula is unappetizing to the customer, thereby resulting in loss of sales. Since some of the chocolate particles will settle toward the bottom, the last cups of hot chocolate drawn from the urn may be much stronger than those previously drawn and they may have undesirable lumps of chocolate therein. Also, when the urn becomes empty, a considerable amount of time is consumed in cleaning it and preparing an additional batch of hot chocolate. This is inconvenient to both the customer and the restaurant owner when a customer wishes a cup of hot chocolate, but must wait until the dispenser can be cleaned and a new batch made. Also, a restaurant owner desiring to sell a high quality product may find it necessary to throw the remainder of a batch of hot chocolate out at the end of the day, resulting in considerable food waste, as well as loss of time in clean- "ice ing the dispenser and preparing a new batch of hot chocolate the next morning.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a dispenser for hot chocolate and the like; to provide such a dispenser which requires a small amount of space; to provide such a dispenser which is simple to operate; to provide such a dispenser in which each drink is mixed individually; to provide such a dispenser in which each drink may be dispensed at the same temperature with no change in quality; to provide such a dispenser which eliminates food spoilage or waste; to provide such a dispenser which requires a minimum of cleaning; to provide such a dispenser which utilizes a chocolate syrup or other concentrate and a separate tank containing water heated at all times to a suitable temperature; to provide such a dispenser in which the chocolate syrup or other concentrate is mixed with hot water as it leaves a nozzle to enter a cup or the like; to provide such a dispenser having a mixing nozzle which mixes the chocolate syrup or other concentrate and the hot water after it leaves the nozzle but before it enters the cup; to provide such a nozzle in which the hot water does not contact the chocolate syrup or other concentrate in the machine; to provide such a dispenser having a hot water tank in which the water in the tank can be maintained at constant temperature regardless of how fast drinks are dispensed; to provide a novel water pump for such a dispenser; to provide such a pump which cannot be pumped dry; to provide such a water pump which can be adjusted to vary the size and richness of the drink; to provide such a dispenser having a hot water tank in which the problem of steam from the water condensing 0n the inside of the dispenser is overcome; to provide such a dispenser in which the hot water reaches the nozzle at the same time as the chocolate syrup or other concentrate; to provide such a dispenser which may be easily and quickly connected to a source of electricity and a source of water; to provide such a dispenser which is attractive in appearance; and to provide such a dispenser whose appearance and presence in a restaurant or other establishment will promote the sales of hot chocolate or any other drink product produced thereby.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of a dispenser of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the dispenser of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale, with the front cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 33 of FIG. 2, but with a water tank in central vertical section and showing an operating lever in depressed position in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2, showing details of the opposite side of the lever mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section, looking downwardly and taken along line 55 of FIG. 2, but showing an alternative pressure foot, base and drip pan;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section, looking downwardly and taken along 66 of FIG. 3, showing particularly parts in a water tank;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section, looking downwardly and taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3, showing details of a heater construction;

FIG. 8 is a condensed vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 and showing details of a water pump;

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged, fragmentary section taken at one edge of a piston and O-ring of the water pump;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a body of a mixing nozzle of FIGS. 2 and 3, on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a spray ring of the mixing nozzle, on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 'is a fragmentary front elevation of the water tank of FIGS. 6 and 7, on an enlarged scale and showing details of the connection to a thermostat;

FIG. 14 is a vertical section, taken along line 1414 of FIG. 6, showing a baffle for directing incoming water against a thermostat and heater;

FIG. 15 is a horizontal section similar to FIG. 7, but on a slightly enlarged scale, showing an alternative heater which may be used in the water tank;

FIG. 16 is a partial front elevation of the water tank of FIG. 15, showing particularly a heat conducting plate which extends between the heater and thermostat;

FIG. 17 is a vertical section, taken along line 1717 of FIG. 15, showing the baifle and heater arrangement;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken along line 18-18 of FIG. and

FIG. 19 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, of an alternative housing construction, certain parts being broken away and other parts being in vertical section for clarity of illustration.

As in FIG. 1, a dispenser constructed in accordance with this invention includes a housing H preferably made from enamel-coated sheet metal and having side walls and 11 which are integral with top 12 and are attached to a base B, such as stainless steel. Base B is conveniently provided, as in FIG. 3, with downwardly extending flanges 13 around its edges and a front slot in which is placed a drip pan 14 of FIGS. 2 and 3, in which a cup or other receptacle for receiving the hot chocolate mixture is placed. A back panel 15, as in FIG. 3, completes the housing, while the forward edge of top 12 has a downturned flange 16 and the forward edges of sides 10 and 11 have inwardly extending flanges 17 and 18, respectively, to form a seat for front cover C, to be described. The purpose of sloping the forward edge of side walls 10 and 11 inwardly is not only to improve the appearance of the dispenser, but also to permit drip pan 14 to be placed directly beneath a nozzle N, with the front edge of top 12 approximately above the front edge of base B, to minimize the counter space occupied by base B. Also, with the longitudinal dimension of top 12 the same as the longitudinal dimension of base B, the dispenser may be packed conveniently in a rectangular carton for shipping. The rear edge of top 12, as in FIG. 2, conveniently has a downwardly extending flange 19, which overlaps the upper edge of back and the respective side walls have inwardly extending flanges 20 and 21, respectively, as in FIG. 6, which overlap the back 15, for readier attachment of the parts of the housing, as by spot welding. Flanges 13 of base B may be provided with nylon or rubber feet, if desired, to prevent the dispenser from scratching the container top or table on which it is placed.

A stainless steel frame 23, conveniently made from angles, extends across the top of front cover C and down the two sides. The face of the cover is conveniently made from translucent plastic having an upper convex portion 24, which may bear an advertising legend, and a lower concave portion 25, which may conveniently have directions printed thereon on how to replace an empty can of chocolate syrup concentrate with a full can. Advantageously, a light 26, as in FIGS. 2 and 6, is mounted behind upper portion 24 in a socket 27, mounted on the front of a water tank T, to be described. A flasher button may be placed in the light socket to cause the light to flash on and off, to direct attention to the dispenser, thereby promoting sales of the product thereon. The front cover C may be held in place by a thumb nut 28 which extends through a notch in frame 2 and threadably engages a tapped hole at the forward end of top 12, so that it bears down against the frame to hold it in place. A vertical slot 29 in the upper portion of the cover receives a front arm 39 of a lever assembly L for the pump mechanism, to be described. Arm 3% is provided with a handle comprising a pair of spools 31, made of Lucite or other suitable material and held in place by a screw 32, which fits into a hole in the outer end of .arm 30. Handle 31 and front arm 30 are removable as a unit by pulling longitudinally outwardly on the handle, since front arm 34 fits between the flanges of a channel central arm 33, as in FIG. 2, and on the inner side of a leaf spring 34, as in FIG. 5, extending between the flanges of channel arm 33 in spaced relation to the web at spaced points but being laterally bowed to press against front arm 30 at several points, including the position of a central hole 35 in spring 34, which engages a protrusion, formed by indentation from the opposite side, on front arm 30. If desired, the hole 35 may be placed in arm 30 and the protrusion formed in the web of channel 33. When the dispenser is to be serviced, it is merely necessary to remove front arm 30, loosen thumb nut 28, and then remove front cover C. To replace the cover, the operation is reversed. A nozzle N, to be described in further detail, is located directly behind the upper portion of the cover and above drip pan 14, which has a well and in which sits a perforated, removable platform 36, as in FIG. 1, which supports a cup to be filled, catching any hot chocolate which may drip from the nozzle after the cup is removed. However, the amount of hot chocolate which might drip from the nozzle, after the handle is released, should be quite small, for reasons which will appear later.

The chocolate syrup concentrate is conveniently furnished in a can 37, such as a one-gallon can, edapted to be placed within the dispenser on base B, as in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the dispenser of this invention will be described in connection with the use of a chocolate syrup concentrate, it will be understood that other types of flavoring may be used, such as a concentrated coffee flavored syrup, a concentrated tea flavored syrup, or other flavors. A pump 38 is provided with the can of chocolate and has a piston inside the can connected to the lower end of a piston rod 39, which extends upwardly, the pump 38 being mounted in a cap 40 threadably attached to the top of the can. A generally cylindrical block 41 is connected to the upper end of piston rod 39 and is adapted to be engaged by a pressure foot F of FIG. 2 or an alternative pressure foot F of FIG. 5, operatively connected to lever assembly L, in a manner to be described. When lever L is depressed by handle 31, as to the dotted line position of FIG. 3, the piston and rod 39 are urged downwardly, forcing a measured amount of syrup up and into a tube 42, such as a plastic hose, having one end connected to a nipple on pump 38. In the construction shown, if a six ounce drink is to be served, the tube 42 is conveniently a inch hose, but for an 8 ounce drink, the tube 42 is conveniently a inch hose. The other end of tube 42 extends through a central bore 43 in the body 44 of nozle N, shown in FIG. 10, and is cut off so that its end 45 is flush with or extends just past'the bottom surface of a mixing ring 46 of the nozzle N, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12. The hose 42 conveniently is held in position in the nozzle by means of a thumb screw 47, threadly received in one side of the nozzle body and projecting into bore 43, to bear against one side of the ose.

A Water tank T having a bottom 48, a front wall 49 A .5 syrup pumped from can 37 at the same time. Pump P comprises a cylindrical compression cup 53 mounted on the bottom of the water tank T, as in FIG. 3, and having counterbore 54 at the upper edge thereof, as in FIG. 8, for a purpose described below. A piston 55 is moved up and down within compression cup 53 by a hollow piston rod 56, which consists of a length of tubing, such as copper, while the lower end of rod 56 threadably engages a central opening in piston 55 and advantageous ly extends down below the bottom thereof. The edge of piston 55 has a peripheral groove 57, the upper portion of which is curved, as in the arc of a circle, while the lower portion forms a square corner. This groove is adapted to receive an O-ring 58, which has a slightly less cross-sectional diameter than the width of the groove. When piston rod 56 and piston 55 are moved downwardly by lever L, in a manner to be described, a measured amount of hot water in cup 53 is forced upwardly through piston rod tube 56 and through a tube 59 of FIG. 3 to nozzle N. During this downward movement, O-ring 58 is forced upwardly by the sides of cup 53, which in turn causes the O-ring to move outwardly because of the shallow circular are at the top of groove 57. This results in a tight seal between the outer surface of the O-ring and the inside of compression cup 53. When the handle is released and lever L is moved upwardly, in a manner to be described, piston rod 56, along with piston 55, also moves upwardly, forcing O-ring 58 to the bottom of grooves 57. The square corner at the bottom of the groove 57 permits the (J-ring to move inwardly, relieveing the pressure against the inside of cup 53, so that there is little resistance to the upward movement of piston 55. The upper portion of groove 57 may have a generally square corner if desired, as long as the groove increases in depth from top to bottom for the purpose described.

During this upward movement, a partial vacuum will be created below piston 55, causing the Water in hose 59 to be sucked back into the compression cup, to prevent water from dripping from the end of the nozzle after the handle is released. After the water has been sucked back into the compression cup, additional air will be sucked in through the nozzle, since the piston will not yet have reached the upper end of its stroke. When piston 55 reaches the counterbore 54 of cup 53, water in tank T will begin to pour around the edge thereof into compression cup 53 and around the edge of piston 55, since the Water level in tank T is always kept above the top of compression cup 53, as will become apparent later. The air which has been sucked into the compression cup 53 will bubble up through the inrushing water and around the edge of piston 55, thereby aerating the water in tank T so that it will not have a flat taste, assuring a flavorful hot chocolate drink. The upper edge of cup 53 may be flared outwardly, for the same purpose as counterbore 54. Furthermore, since piston rod tube 56 extends down below the bottom of piston 55, the air is prevented from reentering tube 56 as the water rises in the cup and tube to the level of the Water in tank T. The water will thus rush into compression cup 53 with suflicient speed that lever L can be immediately depressed to draw another cup of hot chocolate.

Hollow piston rod 56 is connected to a bracket 60 of lever assembly L by an ell 61, which is threaded onto the upper end of piston rod 56 and abuts a lower flange 62 of bracket 60, being locked in position by a nut 63 which is threadably received on the upper end of piston rod 56. E11 61 is positioned between support bracket 60 and an upwardly extending flange 64, as shown. A coupling 65, which is threaded at both ends, engages at one end the forwardly extending end of ell 61 and at the opposite end a hose connection nipple 66. One end of tube or hose 59, such as a /2 inch plastic hose, is fastened to coupling 65 by means of a nipple 66, while the other end of hose 59 extends into nozzle N, as in FIG. 3.

As in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a rear lever arm 68, conveniently inverted U-shaped in cross section, has depending side flanges 69 and 76, the former increasing in depth from front to rear, as in FIG. 3, and the latter having an inversely peaked portion 71 provided iwth a lateral flange 72 along an upwardly inclined edge, as in FIG. 4. Central arm 33 may be welded to the inside of flange 69, or may be formed as an extension thereof, as in FIG. 5. Lever assembly L is pivoted at its lower rear end on a pivot pin 73, which extends through holes in the flanges of a rear channel 74, which is mounted in housing H above tank T, the lower end thereof being attached to the rear wall of tank T. Pivot pin 73 conveniently has a head at one end and is held in place by a cotter pin extending through the opposite end. Lever assembly L is normally held in a horizontal position, shown in full lines in FIG. 3, by a coil spring 75 whose lower end engages one of a plurality of holes 76 in outwardly extending flange 72, as in FIG. 4, while the upper end engages one of a plurality of holes 77 in the outer flange of an upper channel 7 8. Upper channel 78 extends forwardly adjacent the top of the housing, the inner flange thereof being attached, as by welding, to the upper end of the adjacent flange of rear channel 74, while the front end of upper channel 73 is attached, as by welding, to the upper end of a front channel 79 having a lower flange 80, which is attached to the upper end of front wall 49 of tank T, as by screws 81, as in PEG. 2. Rear channel '74 may be similarly provided with a lower flange 86, as in FIG. 4, attached to rear wall 51 of tank T, as by screws. A transverse bar 82 is welded to the upper end of front channel 79 and extends laterally a suflicient distance to be engaged by the web of channel 68 to limit the upward movement of lever assembly L, as in FiGS. 3 and 4, and thus provide an upper stop. By providing a plurality of holes, both in the outer flange of upper channel '78 and in flange 72, the tension of spring 75 may be varied, particularly if the spring becomes stretched with use. Also, such an arrangement makes it possible to use springs of varying lengths, or to use a plurality of springs instead of a single spring, although in actual practice a single spring has proved adequate.

To provide adjustment of the stroke of pump P, so that a measured amount of hot water will be delivered through hose 59 each time handle 31 is depressed, bracket 60 is pivotally adjustably connected to flanges 69 and 76 of channel 68. As in FIG. 4, a pin 84 is placed in one of a plurality of holes 85 in flange 70, which are aligned With similarly spaced holes in flange 69, pin 84 extends through one set of holes in both flanges 69 and 70 and also through one of a corresponding set of holes 86 in bracket 66. Pin 84 conveniently has a head at one end, as in FIG. 3, and is held in place by a cotter pin in the other end, as in FIG. 4. Pin 64 may be inserted through any set of corresponding holes, thus changing the length of stroke of piston 55, by increasing or decreasing the distance between pin 84 and pin 73. It is readily apparent that when lever assembly L is depressed and pivots about pin 73, the forwardmost holes descend further than the upper holes. Therefore, if pin 84 is moved to a forward position, the length of stroke of piston 55 will be increased, while if the pin is moved to a rearward position the length of stroke will be decreased. Thus, it can be seen that the amount of water dispensed may be varied merely by changing the position of the pin 84. It will be noted that the row of holes 85 and 86 are both in a straight line, so that placement of pin 84 in any hole doe not require any change of position of pump P for stroke adjustment. Although holes 85 and 86 are each shown as being in a horizontal row with lever assembly L in the upper position, the rows of holes may be inclined to the horizontal in such position. However, both rows of holes preferably coincide in at least one position; conveniently the upper position. The distance between the holes may be selected so that the measured amounts of water may be increased or decreased by fractions of an ounce, to correspond with the amounts of water necessary to fill the cup to the desired level, in accordance with the concentration of chocolate desired and also to permit adjustment to compensate for differences in various batches of the chocolate syrup or other concentrate. Advantageously, each hole represents a change of /2 ounce in the amount of water dispensed.

A lost motion connection is provided between lever assembly L and pressure foot F for depressing rod 39 of FIG. 2, so that the water pump begins to operate before the chocolate syrup or concentrate pump. This provision is desirable in order that the water will be discharged from the end of nozzle N at the same time that the chocolate is discharged because hose 54 is longer than hose 42, and hose 42 is desirably as short as possible to reduce the amount of syrup or concentrate necessary to pump to fill the hose, although syrup remaining in house 42 may be sucked back into can 37 when the chocolate syrup pump is returned to its initial position. This lost motion connection, as in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, includes a vertical link 88, conveniently made of stainless steel, having a slot 89 and extending between pressure foot F or F and an intermediate position of lever assembly L, such as a pin 90 mounted in aligned holes at the forward end of flanges 69 and 70 and engaging slot 89, as in FIG. 3. For adjustment of the downward movement of lever assembly L, which will occur before pressure foot F or F depresses piston rod 39 of chocolate syrup pump 38, a channel or U-shaped bracket 91 is adjustably mounted on link 89 by a bolt 92 extending through slot 89 and provided with a conventional washer and a lock washer, if desired. Thus, bracket 91 may be adjusted longitudinally along slot 89 to vary the distance between the top of slot 89 and the top of bracket 91, thereby changing the distance which pin 91 moves down slot 89 before engaging bracket 90 to move rod 39 downwardly to dispense chocolate syrup. Once the proper adjustment has been made, at the factory or at the time of installation, ordinarily no additional ad justment need be made, unless hose 42 or 59 is replaced with a longer or shorter hose, thereby changing the length of time which it takes the water and/ or chocolate syrup to reach nozzle N.

The pressure foot F, as in FIGS. 2 and 6, conveniently includes a Z-shaped plate 93, on one side of which is an upwardly extending leg 94, which is welded to link 88 adjacent the lower end thereof. On the other side of plate 93 is a downwardly extending leg welded to the corresponding side of a rectangular U-shaped slide 95, which slide is provided with a lateral flange 96 and the opposite side of which is welded to the lower end of link 88 below plate leg 94. The pressure foot F moves in a rectangular U-shaped guide 97, the front edges of which have outwardly, laterally extending flanges 98, on one of which flange 96 of slide 95 bears, as in FIG. 2. A strap 99 is welded across the top front of guide 97 to engage link 88 and force the pressure foot F to move in a vertical path.

V As in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, nozzle N is supported by a bracket arm 105 which may be mounted on pressure foot F or may be provided with an angular foot 106, as in FIG. 6, which is conveniently welded to a thermostat cover 107 mounted on tank T. Guide 97 is also conveniently mounted on thermostat cover 107, as by welding the adjacent flange 98 to the cover, while an angle rod 108 may be welded to the rear of guide 97 to engage the front wall 49 of tank T and maintain guide 97 more securely in position. The front end of arm 105 is formed to provide an arcuate clamping flange 109 between which and arcuate clamping flange 110 of a strap 111 the nozzle N is clamped, as in FIG. 6. Strap 111 is removably secured to arm 105 by a bolt 112, as in FIG. 3, or in any other suitable manner. Bracket arm 105 is conveniently mounted at such a height as to be positioned directly behind the lower end of upper portion 24 of cover C, so that the hot chocolate is dispensed through the opening between the upper portion 24 and lower portion 25 of cover C 8 and will fall downwardly into a cup placed on the platform 36 of FIG. 1.

Both the tubular body 44 and the annular mixing ring 46 of nozzle N are conveniently mande of Plexiglas or other similar material, with the mixing ring being secured to the lower end of the body, as by cementing. As in FIG. 10, body 44 has an outer, longitudinal bore 115 for receiving water hose 42 and in the upper end of which the water hose is conveniently cemented. The lower end of bore 115 is in communication with an annular groove 116 which supplies water to the mixing ring, groove 116 being formed between an annular peripheral rim 117 and a central annular land 118, through the latter of which central bore 43 extends, the surfaces of n'm 117 and land 118 being flat and preferably coplanar to facilitate attachment by adhesive of these surfaces to the upper surface of the mixing ring 46. The body 44 also has a tapped hole 119, extending transversely and to bore 43, conveniently opposite bore 115 and at an appropriate vertical position, as in FIG. 2. The mixing ring 46 has a central hole 120 which is aligned with bore 43 when the body and mixing ring are cemented together, as well as a central counterbore 121 to space the end 45 of hose 42 from the nozzle. When the body and mixing ring are secured together, groove 116 of the body forms an annular chamber which receives hot water from body bore 115 and distributes the Water to a plurality of downwardly and inwardly directed, circumferentially spaced holes 122 whose upper ends are in communication with the chamber formed by groove 116 of body 44. As indicated, chocolate syrup hose 42 extends through bore 120 and into counterbore 121, so as to be flush with or project just beyond the lower surface of the mixing ring, so that no syrup will come into direct contact with the nozzle. Of course, no chocolate can drip or run onto the mixing ring, as long as hose 42 extends into counterbore 121, since the sides of the counterbore will be spaced from the hose. Thus, the chocolate syrup will be discharged downwardly from the lower end 45 of hose 42, while the hot water will be directed through holes 122 inwardly into the stream of chocolate syrup issuing from hose 42. Thus, the chocolate syrup and water are mixed only after they leave nozzle N, but the impingement of the jets of water issuing from inwardly directed holes 122 will produce a relatively thorough mixing of the chocolate syrup and hot water as they fall into the cup. Within the machine, the syrup and water follow entirely separate paths, with the syrup confined at all times to hose 42. Since hose 42 may be replaced with a new hose when an empty can of chocolate syrup is replaced with a new can, there are no elements within the dispenser to be cleaned.

Fresh water is brought into tank T through the tube 125, such as a plastic hose, entering the dispenser through the back of the base 14, then extending along the base and upwardly through the top of the base, adjacent one side thereof, as in FIGS. 2 and 3, then upwardly alongside can 37 and to an outwardly extending hose connector 126, as in FIG. 6, which is mounted in the upper end of the .front wall of tank T. Hose connector 126 is connected to a valve 127, which may be a conventional valve controlled by a pivoted float 128,-whioh opens the valve when the later level drops as water is withdrawn, so that fresh water may enter the tank. The valve 127 closes again when the water level in the tank raises the float to a generally horizontal position, such as that of FIG. 3. Hose connector 126 supports valve 127 and also is provided with suitable gaskets and washers for sealing purposes where it extends through the front wall of the tank. In accordance with this invention, the incoming water is directed downwarly from valve 127 by a bafile 130 against a heat transfer plate 131, above a U-shaped heater 132, which is preferably an electrical resistance heater. The baffie 130 is conveniently angular, as in FIG. 7, to fit into the corner of tank T, and tapers downwardly at the rear, as in FIG. 3, to provide .a narrower opening at the bottom than at the top. The two sides of baflie 130 may each be provided with a flange 133 for attachment, as by spot welding, to the front and one side of tank T, while heat transfer plate 131 is attached to the front wall of tank T, as by a riveted flange 134, and has a portion extending rearwardly over each leg of the heater 132. Thus, cold water directed onto plate 131 will tend to flow along the plate and be quickly heated. Baflle 130 also extends to a point below the top of compression cup 53, such as about one inch, so that the lower end of the baffle is below the level of the water passing into cup 53. With this arrangement, the incoming cold water is brought into contact with some hot water, but is prevented from flowing into the main body of hot water in the tank and cooling it before the heater can be turned. Thus, the main body of hot water can be maintained at substantially uniform temperature at all times, regardless of the frequency with which water is withdrawn. The incoming cold water also contacts a heat transfer element, such as a wire 135, the lower end of which is wrapped around one leg of heater 132 and extends upwardly between the two rearwardly extending portions of heat transfer plate 131 and then upwardly inside the space formed by baffle 139 and the corner of the tank, to a heat conducting post 136 of FIG. 7. Post 136 is conveniently a screw which extends through the front wall of the tank, being suitably sealed, and on which a conventional thermostatic control 137 for the heater 132 is mounted. As will be evident, cold incoming water contacting wire 135 will cause the thermostat 137 to turn the heater on quickly, but as the Water inside baflle 130 becomes heated, assisted by heat conducted through wire 135 from the lower end wrapped around the heater, the thermostat will as quickly turn the heater off.

In further accordance with this invention, the top 140 of tank T, as in FIGS. 3 and 14, is formed of a suitable plastic, such as a plate formed from an acrylic resin sold as Plexiglas, and has a hole 141 therein to accommodate movement of hollow piston rod 56 of pump P. The plastic utilized has the property of condensing moisture vapor and steam rising from the hot water in the tank and causing it to drop back into the tank. As will be evident, other suitable plastics having similar properties may be utilized. Top 146 of tank T conveniently rests on inturned flanges 142 at the upper edge of each of the front side and rear walls of the tank, while top 140 may also be pressed downwardly by rear channel 74 and front channel 79. Tank T is conveniently suspended in housing H by a series of screws, such as screws 143 of FIGS. 3 and 6, which extend through the side and rear walls of the housing and into holes in the corresponding walls of the tank, each adjacent the top of the tank and centrally at the rear but adjacent the front at each side. The bottom and walls of the tank are conveniently made of stainless steel, while all parts within the tank, except O-ring 58, are made of non-corrosive metal, such as stainless steel, copper, brass or the like. The O-ring 58 of the pump P is formed of synthetic rubber, such as a special formulation of Buna N rubber, which will neither shrink nor swell during use in hot water. It has been found that, with a metal tank having a metal top, steam and water vapor escape through the hole in the top through which piston rod 56 extends and condenses inside the housing and on other parts in the housing, which is highly undesirable. However, by providing a top for the tank of the above acrylic resin or a similar plastic, this problem has been avoided.

Electrical current is supplied for heater 132 and lamp 26 by a cable 145 which conveniently extends through base B at the rear, as in FIG. 3, then extends forwardly and to one side in the base, then through a hole in the base at one side of can 37, then upwardly and through a slot in one side of cover 107, as in FIG. 2. As in FIG. 13, one wire 146 of cable 145 is attached to one terminal post 147 of heater 132 and the outer wire 148 of cable 145 is attached to one terminal 149 of thermostat 137, the

electrical portion of which is, of course, insulated from heat conducting post 136. Thermostat 137 is connected in series with heater 132, as by a wire 15% connected between the other thermostat terminal 151 and the other heater terminal 152, while terminals 153 and 154 for lamp socket 27, mounted on a base plate 155 conveniently attached to the front wall of tank T, are also connected by wires (not shown) with cable wires 146 and 148. Base plate 155 is conveniently attached to the front of tank T by screws 156 and 157, the latter conveniently attaching flange 133 of baffle 130, as in FIG. 14.

Each of the terminal posts 147 and 152 of heater 132 extend through the forward wall of the tank T and are insulated therefrom, being held in place by nuts, as in FIG. 7, or in any other suitable manner. A triangular conductor plate 158, as in FIGS. 7 and 13, has three holes for receiving the outer ends of the heat conducting post 136 on which the thermostat 137 is mounted, and the heater terminals 147 and 152, from which the conductor plate is electrically insulated. The puropse of the conductor plate 153 is to conduct heat to the thermostat if the unit is plugged in before Water is supplied, to prevent the heater from being damaged by overheating. As will be evident, if the water in the tank covers the heater, the heater will not become overheated, but if there is no Water in the tank, the heater will heat rapidly, but conduction through plate 158 to the thermostat will quickly turn the heater 01f.

The thermostat cover 167 is box-shaped, as in FIG. 7, and the lamp socket 27 extends through a hole in the front thereof. An upper and lower angle 159 and 160, respectively, are attached to the front wall of the water tank, as by spot welding, and are positioned so that the upper and lower edges of cover 107 slide thereover and may be secured thereto, as with suitable screws.

The alternative foot F of FIGS. 5 and 18 conveniently has an inverted cup shaped central portion 162 adapted to engage and center the upper end of block 41 for actuating the syrup pump rod 39, and outwardly extending flanges 163, the outer edges of which conveniently form a rectangle, so that the pressure foot will be guided in upward and downward movement by an angular guide 164, mounted on the front wall 49 of the water tank and provided with an inwardly extending, front flange 165 engaging one corner of foot F. Foot F is attached to a lower flange 166 of a link 167, as by a rivet 168, the

upper end of link 167 being pivotally connected to lever assembly L, as at pin 96, while the length of link 167, between pin 90 and flange 166, is selected so that foot F will be spaced above block 41, as in FIG. 18, a distance such that lever assembly L will move downwardly, while actuating the water pump, sufliciently before actuating the syrup pump, that the hot water and syrup will arrive at nozzle N at substantially the same time. With standardized syrup and Water pumps, the length of link 167 can be appropriately selected to provide a lost motion connection; otherwise an adjustable lost motion connection, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for use with pressure foot F, may be utilized.

An alternative heater construction, shown in FIGS. 1517, functions in substantially the same manner as the heater construction of the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, a heater 170 is conventional but cylindrical in shape and extends through the front wall of water tank T. An elongated heat conductor plate 171 fits over the outwardly extending end of heater 170, but is spaced from the front Wall 49 of the tank by an asphalt washer 172, which also seals the opening in the tank wall, and a metal washer 173, as in FIG. 15, and is held in place by a hex nut 174, which also clamps the heater to the tank. A pair of wires, as shown, electrically connect the heating element to binding posts 175 and 176, respectively, to which the ends of the wires for supplying current to the heater are connected. The upper end of heat conductor plate 171 is connected to a heat conducting post 177,

such as a screw, while a heat conducting wire 178 is connected to the head of post 177 on the inside of the tank and within baffle The other end of heat con ducting wire 178 is coiled around heater 178, as shown. As in the previous embodiment, a thermostat 137 is mounted on heat conducting post 177, while an electrical lead wire is connected to each of terminal 149 of the thermostat and one binding post or 176 of the heater, as before. The heater and thermostat are connected in series by a wire connecting the other binding post of the heater with the other terminal 151 of the thermostat, so that the thermostat may interrupt the circuit to the heater tocontrol the temperature of the water within the tank. Although both a heat conductor plate 171 and a heat conducting wire 178 have been shown, it has been found in actual practice that wire 178 may normally be eliminated, without any loss in effectiveness of operation, thus simplifying the problem of assembly.

Bafiile 130 is similar to baffle 13%, except that it extends to a point near the bottom of the tank and adjacent the heater, as in FIG. 7. Thus, flanges 133' of heater 130 are attached to the front and one side of tank T, to position the upper end of the bafiie just below water inlet valve 127. As before, thermostat cover 107 of FIG. 15 is attached to angles 159 and 160 of FIG. 16, while a lamp socket may be attached on the outside of the front Wall of the tank by screws, including screw 156. As in FIG. 16, the front wall of the tank is provided with a hole 179, for the water inlet valve connection, and a pair of holes 180 for screws 81 of FIG. 2.

In the alternative form shown in FIGS. 5, 18 and 19, the parts in the interior of housing H, including the lever assembly L, are constructed as described previously. However, front cover C, which is constructed of plastic, as before, has an upper convex portion 182 conveniently formed integrally with a lower, generally concave portion 183, the upper portion being provided with a slot 184, to accommodate bar 30 and movement thereof, and a hole 185 below nozzle N. The lower portion of cover C is provided with a flat central section 186, which is upright with the cover installed, for a purpose described later. Nozzle N is similar to nozzle N, the mixing ring being identical and the body being similar to body 44 but considerably shorter. As before, nozzle N is supported by bracket 105, while hoses 42 and 59 lead thereto. The sides 10 and 11 of housing H are inclined rearwardly at the front edges but need not be provided with flanges 17 and 18 of FIGS. 2 and 3, while the top 12 of the housing is provided with an outwardly slanting flange 16, disposed at substantially the same angle as the top flange 187 of cover C, which also extends as flanges 187' down each side and around the bottom of the cover. Base B is formed from angles 188 having upturned edges, in which housing H sits, while a drip pan 189 extends across the front of base B, resting on the horizontal legs of angles 18S and also securing the lower edge of cover C in position. Thus, the cover C is removed by first removing drip pan 189, while the latter is not replaced until cover C is placed in position. The top of cover C may be secured by a thumb screw, as before, but preferably by a pair of fingers 190 which engage correspondingly spaced holes in the upper flange 16' of the housing and which are conveniently struck out from a strip 191, riveted to the under side of top flange 187 of the cover. The ends 192 of strip 191 conveniently extend downwardly, inside side flanges 187' of the cover, to engage the outside of each side of the housing and center the cover as it is installed. Thus, strip 191 is preferably formed of resilient material. Pan 189 is conveniently provided, as in FIG. 5, with a removable tray 193, which is centrally disposed and on which a cup is placed during filling, as well as with holes 194, in either of which a finger may be inserted for removal of the pan.

The lower rear portion of housing H, as in FIG. 19, is conveniently provided with a platform 195, which slopes i2 forwardly, so that syrup can 37 will be held against upright section 186 of the cover C, to position the syrup pump and particularly block 41 directly beneath foot F, as in FIG. 18. Although whenever pan 189 and the cover C are removed, can 37 may tend to slide forwardly on platform 195, when cover C is replaced, section 186 will push can 37 back into position. Also, sloping platform 195 will tend to wedge can 37 against the rear side of the cover.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a dispenser constructed in accordance with this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. While the dispenser of this invention has been described primarily for use with hot chocolate, it may be used for dispensing other food products and non-food products, wherein two liquids are to be mixed. Such uses will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. The dispenser occupies a small amount of counter or other space and is attractively designed so as to direct the customers attention to the dispenser, thereby increasing the scale of the product therein. Also, by pumping the hot chocolate through one tube and the hot water through another tube, to a single novel nozzle, so that hot chocolate is dispensed centrally and the water is sprayed inwardly into the stream of chocolate syrup, thorough mixing of the hot Water and chocolate are assured on discharge into a cup. Thus, the novel nozzle of this invention eliminates the necessity of premixing the syrup and hot water within the dispenser, so that there are no parts Within the dispenser to be cleaned. Also, since the chocolate syrup is prepackaged in cans, there is no food spoilage or waste, since it is not mixed with the hot water until it is dispensed. Thus, there is greater opportunity for profit because no hot chocolate need be thrown away at the end of a day, or after a period of time, because of spoilage or any change in quality.

Within the water tank is a novel battle which directs the incoming cold water down against a heater, or also a heat exchange plate, to activate the thermostat and heater. Since the bafiie extends to a low level in the water, the cold incoming water is generally confined to the area within the baffle so that the main body of water will remain at a substantially constant temperature, without becoming chilled by incoming cold water.

A novel water pump is provided, which assures that the water tank cannot be pumped dry, thereby burning out the heater. This is accomplished by means of a compression cup within the water tank, which is adapted to receive a piston which pumps water from the cup. No water can enter the compression cup to be pumped out, unless the water level is above the top of the compression cup, so that the tank cannot be pumped dry. Furthermore, the piston has a peripheral groove receiving an O-ring, the groove having a deep square corner at the bottom and a shallow rounded corner at the top, so that upon a downward stroke of the piston, the O-ring is pushed outwardly against the sides of the compression cup by the rounded corner, thereby assuring a tight seal and a positive pumping action, but upon the upward stroke of the piston, the O-ring slides down to the deeper square corner and moves inwardly, so that the friction between the O-ring and the side of the compression cup is reduced considerably, allowing the piston to move upwardly under the influence of a spring. The upper end of the compression cup is counterbored or flared outwardly, so that water may rush in to refill the compression cup as the piston reaches the top of its stroke. The air that is sucked into the cup bubbles up through the water and around the edges of the piston, thereby aerating the water, so that it does not become stale and thus maintains the flavor of the hot chocolate being dispensed. The tube, which serves both as a piston rod for the pump and also as a tube through which the hot water is pumped, extends downwardly a short distance below the bottom of the piston, so that any air which is sucked into the cup will not enter the tube as the water rises in the compression cup.

The water tank is provided with a plastic top, such as Lucite, Plexiglas, i.e., polymethyl methacrylate, or other resin similarly having a lower rate of heat conductivity than metal, which condenses the steam from the hot water, so that it drops back into the water. This arrangement prevents stream from passing through the hole provided in the tank top for the piston rod or tube of the water pump. This is important, because otherwise the steam would condense inside of the housing and result in possible faulty operation or short circuits in electrical parts. With the novel plastic top, it is unnecessary to provide a seal around the piston rod at the top of the water tank.

Novel means are provided for varying the stroke of the pump, which includes a bracket with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes, which may alternatively be used as a pivot point for attaching the piston rod to the dispensing lever. This varies the distance of the piston rod pivot point from the lever pivot points, so that the vertical movement of the piston is likewise varied. This dispensing lever also operates the chocolate syrup pump, so that the hot water and chocolate syrup are pumped to the nozzle when the lever is depressed. There is a lost motion connection between the lever and the chocolate syrup pump, so that the hot water pump begins its downward stroke before the chocolate pump, allowing the hot water to reach the nozzle at the same time as the chocolate syrup. This is necessary when the hose for the chocolate syrup is shorter than the hose for the hot water.

Finally, the dispenser can be connected easily and quickly in any restaurant, by plugging an electrical connection into a conventional outlet and connecting the water supply hose to a source of water.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, and alternative embodiments of certain parts have been disclosed, it will be understood that various other changes and variations may he made, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A drink dispenser comprising a housing adapted to receive a syrup container having a pump; a water tank mounted within said housing; a water pump associated with said water tank; nozzle means for mixing syrup and water; a first tube extending from said syrup pump to said nozzle means; a second tube extending from said water pump to said nozzle means; a dispensing lever pivotally mounted in said housing; first link means connected to said lever for actuating said syrup pump; and second link means connected to said lever for actuating said Water pump, so that pivotal movement of said lever causes said syrup pump and said water pump to pump syrup and water respectively through said tubes to said nozzle means, said syrup hose being shorter than said water hose and said first link means including a lost motion connection, allowing said water pump to begin pumping before said syrup pump, so that said water and syrup are supplied to said nozzle means at the same time.

2. A drink dispenser including a water tank; a heater in the lower portion of said Water tank; a water inlet in the upper portion of said tank; a water pump in said water tank, including a cylindrical compression cup whose side walls extend upwardly to above the level of said heater, so that the water level within said tank cannot drop below said heater; and a bafile in said tank adjacent said inlet for directing the incoming water against said heater, said bafiie extending below the top of said compression cup.

3. In a drink dispenser, a water tank and a water pump in said tank including an upright cylindrical com pression cup having a portion of greater cross sectional area at its upper edge; a piston within said compression cup; a hollow piston rod having one end centrally attached to said piston and adapted to reciprocate said piston to pump water from said compression chamber through said hollow rod; said piston having a circumferential groove which is deeper at its lower portion than at its upper portion; and a sealing ring received in said groove and adapted to be forced outwardly by the upper portion of said groove on the downward stroke but to move inwardly in the lower portion of said groove on the upward stroke of said piston, said upper edge portion of said cup permitting water in said tank to enter said cup as said piston approaches the top of its upward stroke.

4. In a drink dispenser as set forth in claim 3, wherein said upper portion of said groove is curved and said lower portion of said groove is square.

5. In a drink dispenser as set forth in claim 3, wherein the lower end of said piston rod extends below the bottom of said piston, to trap air which is drawn into said com pression cup on the up stroke of said piston.

6. A drink dispenser comprising a housing adapted to receive a syrup tank having a pump; a water tank within said housing; a water pump for pumping water from said water tank; a lever pivoted adjacent the rear of said housing and extending forwardly above said pumps; means interconnecting said lever and said water pump; lost motion means interconnecting said lever and said syrup pump; a nozzle located forwardly of said syrup tank; a first hose extending from said water pump to said nozzle; and a second hose extending from said syrup pump to said nozzle, said lost motion means being adapted to delay the starting of said syrup pump upon actuation of said lever so that the water and syrup reach said nozzle at the same time.

7. A drink dispenser as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lost motion connection includes a vertical link having a foot at the lower end thereof engaging the top of said syrup pump and a longitudinal slot at the upper end thereof; a bracket adjustable along said slot; and a pin extending through said lever and said slot, adapted to move up and down in said slot and to depress said link and said syrup pump upon engagement with said bracket.

8. A drink dispenser as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lost motion means includes a depending link pivotal ly connected with said lever, a foot attached to the lower end of said lever and having an inverted cup shape; and an upright guide for said foot, said syrup pump having a block at the upper end engageable by said foot and said foot being spaced above said block with said lever in its upper position.

9. A mixing nozzle for a drink dispensing machine comprising a body having a central bore adapted to receive the end of a hose from a syrup pump; a circumferential passage around said bore; an offset bore in communication with said passage and adapted to receive the end of a hose from a water pump; and a plurality of inwardly inclined orifices circumferentially spaced around said central bore and in communication with said passage, for spraying water inwardly into a stream of syrup after it leaves said nozzle.

10. A mixing nozzle for a drink dispensing machine including a generally cylindrical body having a first longitudinal central bore extending therethrough for receiving a tube from a syrup pump and a circumferential groove in the bottom surface; a second longitudinal bore extending through said body offset from said central bore for receiving the end of a tube from a water pump and in communication with said groove; and a spray ring attached to said bottom surface of said body and having a second central bore extending through said ring and in axial alignment and communication with said first central bore and adapted to receive said syrup hose with the end thereof below said ring; said ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages in communication with said groove extending downwardly and inwardly through said ring and adapted to direct separate sprays of water into a stream of syrup after the syrup leaves said nozzle.

receive a syrup container having a pump; a Water tank mounted within said housing; a water pump associated with said water tank; nozzle means for mixing syrup and 'water; a first tube extending from said syrup pump to said nozzle means; a second tube extending from said water pump to said nozzle means; a dispensing lever pivotally mounted in said housing; first link means connected to said lever for actuating said syrup pump; second link means connected to said lever for actuating said water pump; a thermostatically controlled heater within said water tank to maintain the water therein at a predetermined temperature; and water inlet means for directing incoming water against said heater.

13. A drink dispenser as set forth in claim 12, including a plastic top on said water tank.

14. A drink dispenser as set forth in claim 12, including a thermostat located on the outside of said water tank; and temperature transmission means extending between said heater and said thermostat exteriorly of said water tank.

15. A drink dispenser as set forth in claim 12, wherein said inlet means includes a baflle within said water tank to direct incoming water against said heater.

16. In a drink dispenser including a syrup supply means, a water supply means, nozzle means for mixing syrup and water, a first tube extending from said syrup supply means to said nozzle means and a second tube extending from said water supply means to said nozzle means, the improvement wherein said nozzle means includes a nozzle having a central bore receiving said syrup tube with the end of said syrup tube dispensed centrally at the lower end of said nozzle; and a second bore oflset from said first bore and receiving the end of said water tube and leading to an annular passage from which extend downwardly and inwardly directed passages, terminating at the lower end of said nozzle, so that said water is sprayed through said passages into said central stream of syrup after the latter leaves said nozzle.

17. In a drink dispenser, a housing; a water tank within said housing having a bottom and side walls formed of metal; means for heating Water in said tank; a plastic, cover for the top of said tank, said cover having a hole therein; and a water pump within said tank for pumping water therefrom and having an actuating member extend ing through said hole, said hole being larger than said actuating member and said plastic cover being formed of a plastic having a lower rate of heat conductivity than the metal of said tank, so as to be adapted to condense steam or moisture from the water within said tank to prevent said steam or moisture from passing through said hole and collecting in said housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 679,504 7/01 Heard 222-137 X 857,814 6/07 Lippincott 222-309 X 1,316,528 9/19 Wooten et a1 222129.4 2,802,921 8/57 Miklas 219-44.3 X 2,869,760 1/59 Karler et a1. 222146 X 2,903,163 9/59 Newman 222146 X 2,912,143 11/59 Woolfolk 222146 X 2,977,454 3/61 Volker 219-4131 X 2,978,145 4/ 61 Lyman 222-1 46 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,721 2/04 Great Britain.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner. 

17. IN A DRINK DISPENSER, A HOUSING, A WATER TANK WITHIN SAID HOUSING HAVING A BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS FORMED OF METAL; MEANS FOR HEATING WATER IN SAID TANK; A PLASTIC COVER FOR THE TOP OF SAID TANK, SAID COVER HAVING A HOLE THEREIN; AND A WATER PUMP WITHIN SAID TANK FOR PUMPING WATER THEREFROM AND HAVING AN ACTUATING MEMBER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOLE, SAID HOLE BEING LARGER THAN SAID ACTUATING MEMBER AND SAID PLASTIC COVER BEING FORMED OF A PLASTIC HAVING A LOWER RATE OF HEAT CONDUCTIVITY THAN THE METAL OF SAID TANK, SO AS TO BE ADAPTED TO CONDENSE STEAM OF MOISTURE FROM THE WATER WITHIN SAID TANK TO PREVENT SAID STEAM OR MOISTURE FROM PASSING THROUGH SAID HOLE AND COLLECTING IN SAID HOUSING. 